The Rangers scored twice on the ensuing five-minute power play and ended up winning the game in a shootout. Richards returned and took part in the power play.

"I'm glad we made them pay," Rangers coach John Tortorella told news reporters after the game. "It's disgusting. It's a lack of respect. Each team wants to beat the other team, but you have to respect what's going on, on the ice."

Kaleta, speaking to reporters in Carolina before the hearing, didn't address the hit. But he said he felt sorry about putting his team's penalty killers in a precarious position, especially after New York was able to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

"It makes me feel like a bag of garbage after seeing that," he said.

Shanahan noted that Richards made no sudden moves before Kaleta shoved him.

"Kaleta is full control of this play and has ample opportunity to make a better decision," he said.

Shanahan also factored in Kaleta's disciplinary history with the league. He was suspended for four games on Nov. 3, 2011, for head-butting the Philadelphia Flyers' Jakub Voracek. He also was fined for a head-butting incident on Oct. 13, 2010. On Nov. 28, 2009, he was suspended for two games for boarding.

The 2011 suspension put him within the 18-month limit, meaning he's a repeat offender. Each game of the suspension cost Kaleta 1/48th of his pro-rated $1.25 million salary, rather than 1/99th.

As a result, Kaleta will forfeit $76,219.25 in pay.

The suspension was the longest this season, topping the four games handed down to the Philadelphia Flyers' Harry Zolnierczyk on Sunday for a charging infraction that left Ottawa Senators defenseman Mike Lundin with a concussionm.